This year, DMH planted its flag in the West Bottoms after looking at numerous spaces in the Crossroads Arts District. It took the third floor in the Telegram Building, a former communications hub dating to 1909 that was redeveloped by Bill Haw Sr. and is also home to a winery and art gallery.

“We didn’t want to be just another cool, young, growing agency in a cool space in the Crossroads,” Hogan said. “There was something about this area that gave us a good vibe. ... There’s a lot of great energy down here.”

Moving in was a logical step for an agency that’s survived its infancy and now is aimed at long-term growth. DMH has room for 40 people and could take additional space in the nearby Livestock Exchange Building, also owned by Haw.

Gross billings have gone from $1.4 million in 2010 to a projected $3.1 million in 2012, and gross revenue has likewise more than doubled during that time, from $1.1 million to $2.5 million.

One issue DMH has resolved is the Catch-22 of adding staff and taking on more work: It’s hard to commit to an additional project unless you have the people to do it, but it’s equally tough to hire those people until you know you have the work.

“One kind of begets the next, but you’re never really sure what order they come in,” Hogan said.

There was never a single, obvious trigger for growth, so DMH had to take a second leap. Two years ago, the trio decided to take more risk by investing in human capital — in other words, a hiring spree. The agency also added tools to track workflow and improve efficiency.

“As our revenue was starting to grow, we didn’t know when was the right time to start bringing on new employees,” Diamond said. “Ever since we got the confidence to scale, it’s been a whole new world for us.”